Fishing quota in Europe System

On a yearly or two-yearly basis, the CFP establishes quotas on how much of each species can be caught in a specific ICES Statistical Area or group of areas. Each country is assigned a quota based on the overall amount of fish available (Total Allowable Catch, or TAC) and their historical contribution (percentage). The Council of Ministers sets TACs every year. They take into account proposals made by the European Commission, which consults its own scientific advisers (Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee of Fisheries, STECF). STECF advises the European Commission in general, taking into account the work of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES). Furthermore, the Council of Ministers considers the opinions of non-EU fishing nations as well as recommendations from ICES, which is independent of EU institutions, when appropriate. Following the Council of Ministers' determination of quotas, each EU member state is responsible for enforcing its own quota. Different systems are used by countries to distribute quotas to fisherman.